Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Monday, August 31.
Schalke interested in signing Gunners stopper
German side Schalke have identified Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as a potential signing, according to Sky Sports.
The Argentine has shone in between the sticks for the Gunners since stepping in for Bernd Leno after his injury late last season.
Martinez had spent most of his Arsenal career before then as a back-up goalkeeper, making only a handful of appearances each campaign.
His stock has quickly risen, though, and clubs are looking to capitalise on what may be a slight conundrum for Mikel Arteta.
Leno’s place in the starting XI was in no doubt prior to his injury, but Martinez is unlikely to be content to revert to a peripheral role following his performances over the last few months.
Schalke are in the market for a goalkeeper after losing Alexander Nubel to Bayern Munich, though the club are struggling financially and might struggle to meet Arsenal’s demands for Martinez, who has two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates.
Arsenal striker a top target for Spanish club
Alexandre Lacazette is at the ‘top of the list’ of players Atletico Madrid hope to sign before the close of the transfer window.
Sport report the Frenchman is Diego Simeone’s prime target as he looks to bring in a new striker.
Arsenal are believed to be open to selling Lacazette, who was overshadowed by club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season.
There has been talk of a potential part-exchange deal, with Atletico willing to offload the likes of Thomas Lemar, Angel Correa, and Vitolo, but it remains to be seen if such a transfer would interest Arsenal.
Keown highlights newfound Arsenal ‘identity’ under Arteta
Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown has praised the winning mentality of Arteta’s team after Saturday’s Community Shield win over Liverpool.
The Gunners came out on top in a penalty shootout after holding the Premier League champions to a 1-1 draw at Wembley.
And the manner of the victory, after the FA Cup success earlier this month, impressed Keown.
“Say what you want about the Community Shield — whether you think it is a trophy or a glorified friendly — but the act of securing silverware is never a bad habit to have," he wrote in his MailOnline column.
“The players had only a handful of training sessions together in the build-up, but we saw a well coached side cause Jurgen Klopp’s team problems.
“You could see the philosophy behind the opening goal as Arsenal went from back to front in less than 20 seconds.
“There was a real identity to this performance under Arteta. His back three was sturdy and you wonder whether that is the system he is ready to stand by. This was a good day out for Arteta's Arsenal.”
